NEW HAZARDOUS WASTE BANNED FROM THE TRASH

On February 8, 2006, the following items were banned from being disposed in the trash:

• Fluorescent lamps and tubes
• Alkaline and rechargeable batteries
• Mercury thermostats
• Electronic devices

  FLUORESCENT TUBES

  • Considered hazardous because these lamps contain mercury.
  • When broken, mercury is released into the environment and can be damaging to human health and the environment.
  • Handle fluorescent tubes with care when storing and preparing them for pickup.
  • Last fiscal year, Folsom residents properly disposed of 2,300 fluorescent tubes!

                             

     Watch the video for How-to set out your Lamps! 

    

    Click to Watch Video

    • BATTERIES

      • Over two hundred million pounds of household batteries are thrown away every year in the United States!
      • In California, discarded batteries (AAA, AA, C, D, 9-Volt) are considered hazardous waste and cannot go in the trash or recycling bin.
      • Batteries contain protective cases that conceal the toxic metals inside.  However, when batteries are disposed improperly, the protective cases can rupture and leak the toxic materials out into the environment.

        In Fiscal Year 2008-2009, Folsom residents recycled 11,799 lbs of dry cell batteries!!

         In Folsom, it’s easy to recycle your batteries! Simply make an appointment with the online scheduling form or drop off at these locations.

         Battery Pickup Tips:

        Please save up your household batteries until you have 5 lbs if they are the only items we are picking up.  We also take vehicle batteries!

        

      NEW SHARPS DISPOSAL LEGISLATION

      As of September 1, 2008, home-generated hypodermic needles cannot go into the trash.

                           

      The City of Folsom has partnered with many local pharmacies to properly dispose of sharps.  You can see the list of participating pharmacies on our Sharps page:  http://www.folsom.ca.us/depts/utilities/hazmat/sharpsprogram.asp

      NEW RETAIL BATTERY AND LAMP DROP-OFF SITES AVAILABLE

      There are drop-off sites at several retail locations in Folsom for batteries and lamps.  This battery and recycling project is a partnership between the retailers listed below, the Saxton Family Foundation, and the City of Folsom Hazardous Materials Division.

      Look for the tubes marked “Recycle Here.”  They are the place to deposit one-time use alkaline batteries. Rechargeable batteries can go in the kiosks and boxes marked “rechargeable batteries only.” If you have lamps then contact store staff to recycle the lamps.  Also remember, that you can have your lamps and batteries picked up from your property through our door to door one-time appointments.

       

       

       

      Store/Organization	Batteries Accepted	Container Location	Fluorescent Lamps Accepted	Container Location
      OSH	Yes	Entrance	Yes	See Store Staff
      Lowes	Yes	Entrance	Yes	See Store Staff
      Walmart	Yes	Entrance	No
      Home Depot	Yes	Front Exit	Yes	Return Desk
      Ace Hardware (Madison Ave.)	Yes	Battery Shelf	Yes	See Store Staff
      City Hall	Yes	Main Hallway	No
      Folsom Main Library	Yes	Front Desk	No
      Vista Del Lago H.S.  Library	Yes	Entrance	No
      Folsom H2O	Yes	Show Room	No
      Best Buy	Yes	Entrance	No
      Winco Foods	Yes	Entrance	No